A fascinating talk was enjoyed by members and visitors at Yelf’s Hotel on the evening of Wednesday, November 12. Martin Simpson, aka The Fossil Man, enthralled a rapt audience with stories and examples of thirty years of fossil hunting on the Isle of Wight.
With the help of his glamorous assistant, Jenny, a wide range of fossils of creatures which roamed the Island many millions of years ago, were brought to life by Martin’s informative and humorous style.
The audience learned that there exists a dinosaur called the ‘Irritator’. The term ‘dinosaur’ was created by one Richard Owen, on a visit to the Isle of Wight. There are cottages in Brook, the walls of which contain fossils, once thought to be stone.
The audience was also invited to pass round a large lump of coprolite – dinosaur poo, with a highly polished base. Fascinating stuff!
